Rob Wickens's blog

In May, the World Health Organization updated the acceptable levels of small particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ground-level ozone. The information presented by CBC News referencing an editorial by the Canadian Medical Association Journal calls for Canada to adjust it levels saying “Canada can't afford complacency on air pollution”.

As shared on the ScienceDaily website Scientists at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have found that smoke particles created by burning fuel for cooking, light and heat increase the risk of lung infections and pneumonia.This affects an estimated 3 billion people worldwide, in particularly low and middle income countries where bacterial pneumonia is the biggest cause of infant

Pre-industrial revolution carbon dioxide levels averaged about 280 ppm. Since the original industrial revolution in the 1800’s, many countries continue to industrialize. Recently, China has become the leading producer of CO2 emissions worldwide.

Particulate matter pollution has long been known to be a factor in raising the risk of stroke. Additionally a 2004 American Heart Association scientific statement on “Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease” concluded that exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution contributes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

When you think about cigarette smoking what comes to mind for you? Seems there is a strong divide between those who smoke and those who don’t. What rights do we all share and when does one group infringe on the rights of another?

I was reading a recent article on the USA Today website which highlights the effects that higher energy costs have on pushing up wholesale prices. Though the article focuses on the 0.3% increase in one month, the lesson is that energy costs are eroding buying power and slowing economic growth. The article further states that "A weak economy has contained inflation.